Every Public Figure Who Has Spoken Out Following The Sam Wood Domestic Violence Charges

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Content Warning: This article contains descriptions of and references to alleged domestic violence

In the wake of Sam Wood’s arrest on charges of domestic violence and strangulation, a growing list of Australian celebrities have publicly distanced themselves from the former Bachelor star. Wood’s network spans the worlds of wellness, reality TV and health advocacy, and several high-profile Australians have used their platforms both to distance themselves from Wood and to denounce domestic violence, something the Australian Institute of Health estimates that around one in six Australian women will experience in their lifetime.

Related: Sam Wood’s Domestic Violence Charges: Everything To Know About The Case As It Moves To Supreme Court

The reported incident took place in Noosa while the fitness influencer was on holiday with his wife, his 21-year-old stepdaughter, and their three young children. Wood has denied the allegations and is moving his second bail application to the Supreme Court. However, given that strangulation carries distinct gravity under Australian law, key figures and brand partners across public health, reality television, and business have taken the opportunity to voice their stance against domestic violence while severing or clarifying their ties to Wood.

At A Glance: Key Figures & Brands Severing Ties With Wood

• Matthew ‘Matty J’ Johnson: Johnson authored a national op-ed for Women’s Agenda in which the former Bachelor clarified his relationship with Wood, describing himself as “ashamed” to have looked up to the reality wellness mogul.
• Dr. Matt Agnew: Astrophysicist, mental health advocate and former The Bachelor star strongly condemned domestic violence, stating that his personal connection to Wood greater a greater duty to speak on the issue.
• Emily Simms: Emily Simms, who appeared in Sam Wood’s season of The Bachelor Australia said she was “horrified” by what had allegedly happened to Snezana Wood.
• Tammin Sursok: The actress and singer immediately paused her commercial partnership and removed promotional content from her 1.3 million follower-strong Instagram account.
• Tiffiny Hall: The trainer clarified her involvement with 28 by Sam Wood which had concluded prior to the news.
• Jules Robinson: Terminated her partnership describing the move as “in alignment” with her personal values.
• Tania Monk & Foxes Den: Disassociated their wellness platforms and ready-meal partnerships from Wood’s brand.
• 28 Member Community: Official 28 by Sam Wood Facebook group has been restricted to read-only status.

Matthew ‘Matty J’ Johnson: Bachelor Alum & Broadcaster

Fellow Bachelor alum Matthew Johnson (often known as Matty J) has addressed the case extensively, penning an opinion piece for Women’s Agenda following the charges. He admitted to feeling “ashamed” that he had once looked up to Wood as someone “who I wanted to emulate.” More broadly, he used the moment to examine how a pristine reputation or public image is frequently conflated with being a good man: “Sometimes it takes only a few seconds to decide who someone is and what their life represents. I’ve found myself reflecting this week, amid the allegations surrounding Sam, that that’s clearly part of the problem.”

Recalling that their paths first crossed after he became the fifth Bachelor and caught up with Wood in Melbourne post-show, Johnson clarified the nature of their bond: “I am not and have never been a close friend of Sam’s. We both went on the same TV show, and as a byproduct of that our paths crossed a handful of times.”

Posing a critical question, Johnson asked: “I’m acutely aware of the prevalence of domestic violence in this country, so why was shock my initial response?” He reflected that he had ‘naively’ allowed himself to believe he could easily identify the “type of person” capable of committing domestic violence.

He concluded by stressing that men must challenge problematic remarks among peers and stop dismissing controlling actions as private relationship matters: “We need to teach our boys that respect isn’t simply about how they treat women they want to impress. It’s about how they treat women when they’re angry, when they’re rejected and when they feel powerless.”

Dr. Matt Agnew: Bachelor Alum, Astrophysicist & Mental Health Advocate

High-profile mental health advocate and former reality TV star Matt Agnew added his voice to the roll call of public figures distancing themselves from Wood. Posting to Instagram, he wrote: “I know Sam Wood. That does not soften where I stand. Domestic violence is abhorrent. I condemn it absolutely and unequivocally. Knowing someone is not a reason to look away. It is not a reason to stay quiet. If anything, it creates a greater responsibility to speak clearly. And on this, there is no ambiguity.

Emily Simms: Former Bachelor Contestant

Former reality TV star Emily Simms was a controversial contestant on Sam Wood’s season of The Bachelor. The contestant famously walked out of The Bachelor after he snubbed her during the famous rose ceremony. On the episode, she put Wood on blast, saying he had behaved “poorly” and that “what you see is not what you get” with him. Simms was tracked down by the Herald Sun following the arrest and said that she was “horrified” by the allegations. “I’m so glad Sam Wood didn’t choose me,” she said. “I maintain what I said 11 years ago, and that is, what you see is not what you get, with him. I’m horrified by what has allegedly happened to Snez.” Eleven years on, Simms shared that her fury at Wood had been prompted by him describing her as not opening up enough during their dates. “I told him all about my brother who has since died from suicide. I spoke to him about his mental health problems. And then he told me I didn’t open up… Now for him to be playing the mental health card in court. It disgusts me.”

Tiffany Hall: Fitness Entrepreneur & Women’s Self-Defence Expert

Tiffany Hall, one of Australia’s most prominent fitness trainers who rose to fame on The Biggest Loser, confirmed she is not currently associated with Sam Wood or his company and that that would remain the case:

“Before this news, my time with 28 by Sam Wood had already come to an end, and I had moved on to focus on other projects. I have no ongoing role or involvement with the program.” She added: “I will continue to empower women to be safe, strong and support the way I can.”

Tammin Sursok: Actress & Musician

Actress and musician Tammin Sursok, best known for her roles on Home and Away and The Young and the Restless, posted to her 1.3 million followers, sharing that she would pause her partnership with Sam Wood and his business:

“In light of the reports, I have immediately paused my partnership with 28 by Sam Wood and removed related promotional content from my social channels while this matter is before the courts.”

“I want to be clear: I have zero tolerance for domestic and family violence,” she said. “It’s an issue I care deeply about and one that I will always stand firmly against.”

Jules Robinson: Entrepreneur & MAFS Alum

Married at First Sight alum and entrepreneur Jules Robinson spoke out against domestic violence and deleted promotional posts associated with Sam Wood’s businesses from her social media. Stating that she would not comment on a matter before the courts, she emphasised her position against domestic and family violence in all forms:

“Women are my absolute priority,” she wrote. “In light of the circumstances, I have made the decision to end my partnership with 28 by Sam Wood. This is a decision I have made in line with my values and what I believe is right. My commitment to supporting, empowering and standing with women will always come first.”

Tania Monk: Fitness After 40

Tania Monk, who runs Fitness After 40 and was previously attached to 28 by Sam Wood, has informed her audience that because her work focuses on advocating for and supporting women, she will not continue to be associated with Sam Wood or his businesses. “For many years, I have worked incredibly hard to build a reputation based on trust, integrity and advocating for women,” she wrote. Acknowledging that there were “serious charges now before the courts”, she wrote that “for many reasons, I have worked incredibly hard to build a reputation based on trust, integrity and advocating for women.” “For that reason, I will not continue professionally under the 28 by Sam Wood brand or attach my name to a program that remains associated with Sam.” She added: “That is not a statement about guilt or innocence; that is for the courts. This is about my values and where I draw my own professional line.”

28 by Sam Wood Member Community:

Meanwhile, Wood’s official 28 by Sam Wood Member Community Facebook page, which boasts close to 96,000 members, has been switched to “read-only” status. Members are currently restricted from creating new posts, commenting, or reacting to existing content.

Help Is Available:

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, support is available:

• Immediate Danger: Call 000 for emergency police and ambulance assistance.
• 1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732 (available 24/7 for confidential national counselling, information, and support). Online chat is also available at 1800respect.org.au.
• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention).
• Men’s Referral Service: Call 1300 766 491 (support and referral for men concerned about their own behaviour or relationships).
• Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 (confidential support for young people aged 5 to 25).
• 13YARN: Call 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

The post Every Public Figure Who Has Spoken Out Following The Sam Wood Domestic Violence Charges appeared first on ELLE.

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